The purpose of this study was to identify factors distinguishing Mexican American women living near the U.S.-Mexican border who are resilient to the experience of stress from those who are not. The study sample consisted of 418 participants ranging in age from 20 to 61 years. Data were gathered through a self-report survey instrument composed of…

Mexican American youth have higher physical inactivity rates than their Black or non-Hispanic White counterparts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among exercise locus of control, age, present exercise level, weight status, and gender with intention to exercise in a sample of Mexican American youth. The study sample…

A community-centered intervention in a south Texas colonia provided personal growth and entrepreneurial sessions to low-income immigrant Latinas. Interviews with 125 Latina program participants and 105 control group members indicated that although all groups were low-acculturated, intervention participants had higher scores on religious and…

Health locus of control was investigated across culture of origin (Mexicanism), mainstream culture (Americanism), and bicultural linguistic-acculturation domains among 424 Mexican-American adolescents. Belief in powerful others' external control was the strongest explanation of locus of control in the culture-of-origin domain; internal control was…

A study of 254 Mexican American eighth-grade girls in south Texas found that girls' self-esteem was positively related to body image and exercise involvement and negatively related to body fatness. This population displayed somewhat distorted body image, which was the strongest predictor of self-esteem. Contains 43 references. (SV)

Among 290 Mexican American ninth graders in south Texas, perceived freedom to choose leisure activities was related to participation in leisure pursuits. Girls' nonparticipation in peer-centered leisure activities was related to lack of perceived competence, while boys' nonparticipation was related to inability of leisure pursuits to satisfy…

Compares height, weight, and triceps skinfold of Mexican American (MA) children, ages 10-14, in Texas with reference data on American children. Heights were below reference means while weights about same. Boys' triceps skinfold measurements were significantly greater than means. Girls' were similar, indicating positive energy balance. (Author/TES)